Formation of Non-Revenue Water Cell in Surat

Table of Contents

Introduction

In 2007, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) formed a Non-Revenue Water (NRW) cell to address the issue of NRW. NRW is water that is lost during the water supply process, and it can be caused by leaks, illegal connections, and meter inaccuracies. The NRW cell was tasked with reducing NRW levels and improving the efficiency of the water supply system.

Objectives of the NRW Cell

To enhance efficiency in the transmission and distribution network, achieve equity in distribution, achieve financial recovery, create awareness for water conservation, conduct periodic water audit and to implement efficiency and equity measures as per requirement.

Key Initiatives of the NRW Cell

Leakage mapping: The NRW cell has mapped all of the city’s water pipelines to identify leaks. This has helped to identify and repair leaks, which has reduced NRW levels.
Metering: The NRW cell has promoted the installation of water meters in households. This has helped to improve the accuracy of billing and to reduce illegal connections.
Pressure management: The NRW cell has installed pressure gauges in the water distribution system. This has helped to identify areas of low pressure, which can indicate leaks.
Public awareness: The NRW cell has conducted public awareness campaigns to promote water conservation. This has helped to reduce water demand, which has also helped to reduce NRW levels.

Results of the NRW Cell

The NRW cell has been successful in reducing NRW levels in Surat. In 2007, NRW levels were 20.4%. By 2017, NRW levels had been reduced to 15.7%. This represents a significant improvement in the efficiency of the water supply system.

Conclusion

The formation of the NRW cell in Surat has been a success story. The cell has been able to reduce NRW levels significantly, which has improved the efficiency of the water supply system and saved the SMC money. The NRW cell is a model for other cities that are struggling with high levels of NRW.